Maine Senator To Propose Medicaid Restrictions, Incentives That Would Affect Smokers

Maine Sen. John Martin (D) plans to propose legislation that would offer incentives for state Medicaid beneficiaries to quit smoking cigarettes and possibly impose penalties on those who do not, the Bangor Daily News reports. The Maine Medicaid program, called Mainecare, provides health insurance for about 262,000 residents at an estimated cost of $2.2 billion annually, of which the state contributes about $872 million. According to Martin, the state already offers Mainecare beneficiaries smoking cessation programs at no cost but more needs to be done to encourage smokers to quit. Martin said the state “could put a sliding fee on those who (continue to smoke) so that they will have to pay a portion of the bill when they go see a medical professional.” He added that another option might be waiving copayments for some Mainecare beneficiaries who are nonsmokers. According to Ed Miller, CEO of the American Lung Association of Maine, low-income Maine residents are more likely to smoke than other residents. Chris Hastedt, an advocate with Maine Equal Justice Partners, said Martin’s proposal would make it more difficult for low-income state residents to access health care services. Shenna Bellows, executive director of the Maine Civil Liberties Union, said a proposal to punish smokers amounts to “lifestyle discrimination” by the state and would turn Mainecare workers into the “smoking police” (Bangor Daily News, 12/14).

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